Colourful King lands National Day Cup for David Eustace

Colourful King secured his maiden Group 3 victory for David Eustace in the National Day Cup Handicap at Sha Tin on October 1.

Ridden by Zac Purton, the five-year-old Blue Point gelding clocked 55.72 seconds in the HK$4.2 million contest over 1000 metres. Magic Control finished one and a quarter lengths away in second, with Bottomuptogether third.

Before his move to Hong Kong, Colourful King raced as Blue Renegade for Melbourne trainer Mathew Ellerton. Both of his Australian wins came over 1000 metres at Sandown, where he led throughout.

The National Day Cup took his record over Sha Tin’s straight 1000 metres to three wins and two seconds from six starts. He finished second in January’s Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap and ended last season with a Class 1 win in June.

“I thought he was actually a touch fresh and probably would have appreciated a stronger gallop,” Eustace said after the race.

“And I think you sort of would see a better turn of foot when he has a stronger gallop to aim at. But yeah, obviously it’s nice to see him get the job done.”

After the race, Eustace indicated Colourful King was likely to contest the Group 2 Premier Bowl Handicap over 1200 metres on October 25, with January’s Bauhinia Sprint Trophy also on the agenda.

He said he would consider international targets towards the end of the Hong Kong season, subject to discussions with Purton.

“But, you know, when you travel a horse, you do need to plan a long way out, so we won’t over-race him and hopefully have him ready for races maybe abroad towards the end of the Hong Kong season,” Eustace said.